Wenger concerned by defence-first tactics

Arsene Wenger vowed to continue Arsenal’s expansive style in Europe but warned the fear of failure being felt by too many teams in the Premier League and beyond was threatening to ruin the game as a spectacle.

Wenger’s side will continue to go on the offensive in their Champions League campaign, which starts tomorrow against FC Thun, even though Thierry Henry may now miss the first three group games with a groin injury.

Although Sol Campbell may make his first start of the season against the Swiss minnows, Henry’s absence for up to six weeks – and possibly eight Premier League and Champions League ties – will restrict Arsenal’s attacking options.

Wenger, who hopes Robin van Persie will recover from a tackle in training by Emmanuel Eboue which left the winger fuming, admitted: “I consider that Thierry is now out for six weeks.

“It could still be four weeks but any other news would then be good news. Ideally, we’d like him to be with us as he’s a world-class player.

“But I feel it’s a good opportunity for the younger players, such as Robin van Persie, Jose Antonio Reyes and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie to show how good they are.”

Wenger is still determined his side should play to their natural strengths as they attempt to revive their season, which has been left flagging by their second league defeat at Middlesbrough.

“Two seasons ago, we played a whole league season unbeaten. We played the same football then but now that we have lost two games, everyone questions why we continue to attack,” he declared.

However, the Arsenal boss voiced his fears for the future of the game if sides such as Boro continue to adopt a safety-first approach, even at home.

He warned: “Their first shot on goal was after 44 minutes at home. The cautious approach that exists now everywhere in the Premier League is quite concerning.

“If everyone refuses to play then we will go nowhere in this league. The attraction of English football is the positive attitude but the trend at the moment is to play less.

“I do not want to convict other teams. There are plenty of other teams who play in this league, but I feel there are less chances in the game.

“Ninety minutes is a long time when you are sitting on the bench and there are no goal chances. For eople who pay, it is even longer.”

Wenger accepts his comments may be criticised – “as we are not winning, it might look like I am complaining” – but insists his concerns are “objective” and justified.

They follow the success of Greece at the Euro 2004 finals, Porto in the Champions League and, while Jose Mourinho would bristle at the suggestion, Chelsea and their record-breaking defence in the Premiership.

Wenger declared: “It’s important that you don’t go out thinking that you have to not play in order to win. If that starts to get into people’s brains then football will go down quickly.

“For that means you cut the initiative out and then you can’t improve.”

Wenger believes the defence-first mentality has crept into English football from overseas, but there are those who would argue it is essential for European success.

After all, while AC Milan, Liverpool and Chelsea flourished in the Champions League last season, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal – the three most attack-minded sides – all went out.

Wenger, who insists his cautious approach in the FA Cup final last season was a one-off, is not about to change his team’s natural game, even though Robert Pires has argued in favour of using a 4-5-1 formation.

The first test will come against FC Thun, who may have previously knocked out Dynamo Kiev and Malmo, but may simply attempt to frustrate Arsenal at Highbury after the Gunners’ defeat at Boro.

Wenger vowed: “We have shown good basic qualities this season but we must transform the quality of our game into points. You can call that killer instinct or ruthlessness.

“Why should we panic? We are not happy because we are here to win games. But I have a huge belief in this squad and I know their potential well. They just need support, trust and belief and you will see that come out.”